Once again Lamar University finds itself in a familiar, if unpleasant, place: searching for a men's basketball coach following a disappointing season. Once again, the same criteria should apply.

Lamar should conduct a broad national search for this coach ... because believe it or not, it could attract a lot of intriguing applications.

Lamar should never sell itself short in these searches. It has a lot to offer coaches, more so than most schools in the Southland Conference. It has a terrific facility in the Montagne Center, and the university isn't situated in a small, rural town. Recruits notice these things, and these factors can make a difference for the caliber of athletes who play in the Southland.

Tic Price was a good choice for interim head coach and he certainly should be allowed to apply for the top spot. But he should get the job only if he emerges as the best candidate in a strong field.

And the fact that hiring him would save a lot of money shouldn't decide the issue sooner. That's being penny-wise and pound-foolish.

Look at the women's basketball team, where first-year head coach Robin Harmony came from a smaller school and immediately led the Lady Cardinals to a share of the Southland title. Harmony was clearly a great hire, and there's no reason that something like that couldn't occur on the men's side.

Lamar must not settle for a coach who can lead the team to a record a few games above .500, get into the Southland Tournament and quickly be sent home. With the right coach, the men's team can do so much more.